December 13, 2006
A hidden gem in Ravenswood
Caro Mio is definitely one of my favorite local Italian spots in the city. It’s BYOB and pretty much everything rocks. Try the Osso Buco or any of the pasta dishes. It’s well known among the locals; as such, the place is almost always packed. You can’t make a reservation for parties fewer than 6, and on a Friday or Saturday night, you’ll probably wait for a while. But it’s worth it.
The Village Tap
2055 W Roscoe St
Chicago, IL
(773) 883-0817
Cuisine:
American
December 13, 2006
Excellent standard bar fare
Although it’s much more well-known as a neighborhood (Roscoe Village) watering hole and for having a fine beer selection (25 or so on tap), the food is great too. It’s pretty much your standard bar food, but it’s awfully tasty.
Dishes I tried:
Chicken Wings
Had the hot sauce… which tastes a lot like hot BBQ. Good stuff.
Cajun Chicken Quesadillas
Huge and mighty tasty.
December 13, 2006
$12 all-you-can-eat sushi
A few Japanese friends brought me here for lunch during a recent trip to the Bay Area. The sushi is decent and the selection is staggering. Was particularly entertained by the Gyoza roll and the Rolly Pop. Anyway, service is slow but for $12 all-you-can-eat sushi, whaddya want? If you’re really hungry and craving sushi, it’s not a bad spot.
Joy Yee's Noodle Kitchen
519 Davis St
Evanston, IL
(847) 733-1900
Cuisine:
Asian, Korean, Family Dining
January 9, 2007
Solid Asian cuisine in downtown Evanston
With other locations in Chicago’s Chinatown, UIC, and Naperville, Joy Yee’s rocks. Solid, dependable “Pan-Asian” rice dishes, noodles, and appetizers that are sorta Chinese/Vietnamese/Korean/Japanese but you’re really not sure and great bubble teas. Very noisy, casual environment and friendly wait staff.
Dishes I tried:
Korean Fried Dumplings
Potstickers. Fried.
Beef Noodle Soup
Sorta like Vietnamese Pho. Random variety of meat and really really hearty and good.
Red Bean Tapioca
Tasty treat, reminds me of iced red bean drinks in NY Chinatown as a kid.
Bandera Restaurant
535 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL
(312) 644-3524
Cuisine:
Romantic, American, Sandwiches
March 25, 2007
A definite contender for best burger in Chicago
A fairly upscale spot that’s perfect for a date… although I often prefer to just hang out at the bar and nosh on one of their awesome burgers.
Dishes I tried:
Cheeseburger
Delicious burger done on the flat-top grill, on egg bun with the perfect combination of shredded lettuce, tomato, raw onion, and “special sauce”, which I think is basically diced-up pickles and mayo. Sorta like a really upscale Big Mac, but so so tasty.
Frontera Grill & Topolobampo
445 N Clark St
Chicago, IL
(312) 661-1434
Cuisine:
Mexican, Southwestern, Small plates
December 13, 2006
One of my favorites
Almost impossible to get a table w/o a reservation in less than an hour, even on the weekdays. But sit at the bar, enjoy the full menu with beers and margaritas. Everything is great.
Dishes I tried:
Carne Asada
Recommended by the bar waiter as one of his favorites – didn’t disappoint.
Ceviche Yucateco
Awesome ceviche with fresh scallops and watercress.
San Soo Gap San
5247 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL
(773) 334-1589
Cuisine:
Korean, Family Dining, Sushi
December 13, 2006
Just discovered
Just discovered San Soo Gap San and love it. Totally hole-in-the-wall in a little strip mall on Western Ave in Lincoln Square. And it’s open 24 hours so you can get that Korean BBQ fix at 3am if you want. When we went for lunch on a Wednesday, it was packed full of Korean families and businesspeople; always a good sign!
Moody's Pub
5910 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL
(773) 275-2696
Cuisine:
American, Burgers, Hamburgers
tulips500
12/13/2006haven’t had much italian in the city yet…i’ll add this to my try list.